obsessive-compulsive

[ uhb-ses-iv-kuhm-puhl-siv ]

/ əbˈsɛs ɪv kəmˈpʌl sɪv /

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adjective

noting or relating to a personality characterized by perfectionism, indecision, conscientiousness, concern with detail, rigidity, and inhibition.

Psychiatry. noting or relating to a disorder or neurosis characterized by persistent intrusion of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or the performance of actions, as repeated hand-washing, that one is unable to stop (compulsions): obsessive-compulsive disorder.

noun

a person having obsessive-compulsive traits.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!

Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

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Origin of obsessive-compulsive

First recorded in 1925–30; obsessive + compulsive

Words nearby obsessive-compulsive

observer, obsess, obsessed, obsession, obsessive, obsessive-compulsive, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsidian, obsidian dating, obsidional coin, obsolesc.

Example sentences from the Web for obsessive-compulsive

Obsessive exercising and inadequate nutrition can, over time, put people at high risk for overuse injuries like stress fractures.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
McCauley may have married beneath her station, but Gordon-Levitt has obsessive fans.
All Your Internet Boyfriends Are Taken: Gosling, Cumberbatch, and now Joseph Gordon-Levitt|Melissa Leon|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But it looks like it was created by crazed person with obsessive-compulsive behavior.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Panicked, I reached out to hoarding experts, who often refer to any kind of obsessive digital collecting as “infomania.”
I’m a Digital Hoarder|Lizzie Crocker|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

His detail seeking in our meetings is compulsive and a little nuts.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nowhere in the world, I am sure, does the "to be continued in our next" interest take hold on one with such a compulsive grip.
America To-day, Observations and Reflections|William Archer
In the hopes of averting so abhorrent, but compulsive an alternative.
Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)|John Ashton.
He still takes us by the throat, but his grip is not compulsive.
The Life of Francis Thompson|Everard Meynell
Throughout his literary activity it has an obsessive hold on his mind.
Prophets of Dissent|Otto Heller
Political and legal differences can be settled either by amicable or by compulsive means.
International Law. A Treatise. Volume II (of 2)|Lassa Francis Oppenheim

Medical definitions for obsessive-compulsive

obsessive-compulsive

adj.

Having a tendency to dwell on unwanted thoughts or perform certain repetitious rituals, especially as a defense against anxiety from unconscious conflicts.

n.

A person who exhibits obsessive-compulsive behavior.

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obsessive-compulsive

adjective

noun

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Origin of obsessive-compulsive

Words nearby obsessive-compulsive

Example sentences from the Web for obsessive-compulsive

Medical definitions for obsessive-compulsive

adj.

n.